PARIS — American world champion Sha’Carri Richardson, who holds the world’s top time of 10.71 seconds in the 100 meters this year, will start as the favorite for the gold medal with two-time Jamaican 200-meter world champion Shericka Jackson withdrawing from the race in Paris.
The United States’ last 100-meter title was 28 years ago, when Gail Devers topped the podium at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. American Marion Jones crossed the line first in Sydney in 2000 but was stripped of the gold for doping.
The preliminary rounds of the women’s 100 start on the second day of the athletics events at the Stade de France on Friday with the semifinals and final on Saturday.
Jackson will not contest the sprint double at the Paris Olympics after dropping the 100 in a decision she said was focused on protecting her body.
The 30-year-old Jackson, who pulled up with an injury in her final outing before the Games in Hungary on July 9, clocked her season’s best of 10.84 seconds to win the 100m at the Jamaican trials last month.
“It’s a combination of things,” Jackson said at a media event on Wednesday at Puma House. “I got hurt in Hungary and it’s a good decision to run one event.
“I think this is just to protect my body. For the last three years, I’ve been competing in both events, and I think this (decision) is a combination of both, just focusing on one event and (what happened in Hungary).”
Jackson also raced to silver medals at the 2022 and 2023 world championships and bronze in the shorter distance at the Tokyo Olympics.
The sight of Jackson pulling up with an injury at the Istvan Gyulai Memorial in Hungary sent shockwaves through the sport. She was leading with about 50 meters to go before pulling up and limping across the finish line.
“I think it was a good decision (to withdraw from the 100m),” she said. “Coach and I made a decision, and it was in the best interests for both of us.
“I’m always at peace,” she added. “You have to do the best for your body and your mind and your soul. I’m OK with the decision.”
Jamaica’s track and field manager Ludlow Watts broke the news earlier on Wednesday that Jackson had given up her place.
“Shashalee Forbes is her replacement in the women’s 100 meters. I don’t know the reasons, I’m just dealing with what is the outcome.”
Forbes was fourth in the 100 in 11.04 seconds at the Jamaican trials.
Olympic debutant Tia Clayton and twice Olympic 100 champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will carry Jamaica’s best medal hopes in the blue-riband event.
Elaine Thompson-Herah, who won the sprint double at the 2016 Rio Games and again in Tokyo three years ago, will not defend her titles after dropping out of the Jamaican trials with an Achilles injury.
–Reuters, Special to Field Level Media
